Roger Matthews
Barcelona, December 6 (EFE).- “If Pedro Sánchez is really serious, there is room for de-escalation”: this is what various sources from the JxCat management consulted by EFE have stated, knowing that the latest gestures of the head of government to fulfill now the pending commitments paves the way for the rebuilding of bridges.
At the moment, there are no plans to restart secret talks in Switzerland or regain other negotiating spaces, but sources consulted indicate that if the government complies with what has been agreed, it is still possible for JxCat to give way to the legislature.
The relationship between JxCat and the government collapsed on October 27, when former President Carles Puigdemont appeared publicly to announce that his party was breaking channels of dialogue with the Socialists, asserting that Sánchez had “no will” to fulfill the commitments contained in the 2023 inauguration agreement, a break that the hardline Junts movement ratified three days later.
After losing several votes in Congress – including the 2026-2028 stabilization path – and in a sign of improvement, Sánchez gave two interviews on Tuesday – with RAC1 and La 2 Cat – to launch an expanded message, acknowledging for the first time his “non-compliance” and announcing measures to begin to remedy it.
On the same Tuesday, the Council of Ministers approved a decree law allowing municipal and regional councils to use the surplus in their accounts in 2024 to allocate it to financially sustainable investments, as agreed with JxCat, and will soon promote a royal decree to assist landlords in the event of non-payment of rent to young people or vulnerable families.
Last Thursday, a Gwent bill to toughen punishment for multiple recidivisms was introduced in Congress thanks to the support of the Socialist Workers Party, the Popular Party, Vox and the New Patriotic Party, in another sign from the Socialists.
The first public reaction to those first gestures was cold: JxCat’s congressional spokeswoman, Miriam Nogueras, maintained that “nothing” had changed, but outside the spotlight, many leaders recognize that Sánchez has taken a turn that could lead to a rebuilding of the relationship.
With caution and anticipation – “We are in a moment of wait and see,” sums up one of the leaders – in JxCat, they are waiting for the ban to be lifted in compliance with the agreements reached, especially in three big areas: the official status of Catalans in Europe – the government is working to overcome the German obstacle – the delegation of powers in immigration – formulas such as a decree or other means to abolish the ban are being explored – and a “blanket amnesty”.
The “blanket amnesty” implies something fundamental for JxCat: the safe return of Puigdemont, who is waiting for the Court of Justice of the European Union to issue its ruling on the amnesty law.
The report issued last November 13 by EU Prosecutor Dean Spelman, which upheld the main points of the amnesty law, was received as a balm among the ranks of JxCat, who see a positive judicial decision – within a period of one to three months – allowing Puigdemont to return, which would open a new political scenario in Catalonia and Spain, which is increasingly likely. Evie
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